{{short description|Scottish distribution and aviation business}} {{redirect|John Menzies}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}} {{Use British English|date=September 2017}} {{Infobox company | name = John Menzies Ltd. | former_name = | logo = Menzies Aviation Logo (2024).png | logo_caption = | type = Subsidiary | key_people = Philipp Joeinig (Chairman & CEO)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://menziesaviation.com/investor-centre/john-menzies-plc-board/|title=Main Board|publisher=John Menzies|access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref> | industry = Aviation | services = Aircraft ground handling<br>Air cargo | revenue = {{increase}} {{US$|1,352.5 million|link=yes}} (2021)<ref name=ar>{{cite web |url=https://menziesaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/John-Menzies-plc-2021-Annual-Report-and-Accounts.pdf|title=Annual Report 2021|publisher=John Menzies|access-date=29 July 2022}}</ref> | operating_income = {{increase}} {{US$|75.8 million}} (2021)<ref name=ar/> | net_income = {{increase}} {{US$|29.9 million}} (2021)<ref name=ar/> | founder = John Menzies | founded = {{Start date and age|1833}} | parent = Agility Logistics | location = | hq_location_city = Edinburgh, Scotland | hq_location_country = United Kingdom | website = {{URL|menziesaviation.com}} }}
'''John Menzies Ltd.''' is an aviation services business providing aircraft ground handling services, through its subsidiary '''Menzies Aviation Ltd.''' The company also provides air cargo services through its subsidiary '''Air Menzies International'''. The company is based in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.
On 4 August 2022, Agility Logistics acquired the company and announced that it would begin to integrate its operations with its National Aviation Services subsidiary, and rebrand the combined business as Menzies Aviation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agility-completes-763-million-acquisition-of-menzies-aviation-301599950.html/|title=Agility Completes £763 Million Acquisition of Menzies Aviation|work=PR Newswire|access-date=2022-12-30|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://menziesaviation.com/acquisition-menzies-nas/|title=Menzies Aviation and NAS have joined forces.|work=Menzies Aviation|access-date=2022-12-30|language=en-US}}</ref>
==History== thumb|Former John Menzies logo The company was founded by a bookseller, John Menzies, with his first shop in Princes Street, Edinburgh, in 1833.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-60468275|title=John Menzies: From the high street to the skies|publisher=BBC News|date=22 February 2022|access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref>{{efn|Menzies died at his townhouse, 3 Grosvenor Crescent in Edinburgh's West End,<ref>Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1875-6</ref> and was buried in Warriston Cemetery, on the north side of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst7883.html|title=Warriston Cemetery|publisher=Gazetteer for Scotland|access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref>}} In 1941, the company's branch in Greenock was destroyed in the Greenock Blitz.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.johnmenziesplc.com/about-us/our-history/|title=John Menzies plc – Our History|website=www.johnmenziesplc.com|access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref>
In 1948, John Menzies opened their first bookstall at Turnhouse Airport in Edinburgh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightlineweekly.com/post/menzies-the-worlds-largest-aviation-services-provider|title=Menzies – The Worlds Largest Aviation Services Provider|date=17 August 2022|newspaper=Flightline Weekly|access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref> Menzies bookshops and newsagents spread across the United Kingdom, often located at railway stations. The company acquired other operators such as Wyman & Sons in 1959<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.culhamticketoffice.co.uk/bits/hidden-pages/bookstalls.html|title=Railway station bookstalls|publisher=Culham Ticket Office|access-date=21 January 2023}}</ref> and got listed on the London Stock Exchange in October 1962.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/13075443.menzies-half-century-celebration/|title=Menzies in half-century celebration|date=3 October 2012|newspaper=Herald Scotland |access-date =6 February 2026}}</ref>
In 1976, building on the company's expertise in distributing large quantities of newspapers,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-60468275|title=John Menzies: From the high street to the skies|date=21 February 2022|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> Air Menzies International (AMI) was established to provide wholesale Airfreight and Express services exclusively to forwarders, customs brokers, packaging and courier agents only.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freightnews.co.za/organisation/ami-air-menzies-international |title=AMI - Air Menzies International |access-date=2026-02-08 |website=freightnews.co.za}}</ref> The first move into what would become Menzies core business began in 1987, with the acquisition of the Scan International Group and Cargosave handling companies. In 1993 Air Menzies International (AMI) is acquired.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1993-2002: Time for technology |url= https://www.aircargonews.net/top-story/2023/08/1993-2002-time-for-technology/ |access-date= 2026-02-08 |website= aircargonews.net}}</ref> Its operation at Heathrow Airport began with the acquisition of Concorde Express Transport in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/26th-october-1995/12/contracts|title=CONTRACTS | 26th October 1995 | The Commercial Motor Archive|website=archive.commercialmotor.com}}</ref>
In January 1998, the company closed its principal branch in Edinburgh, although the head office continued to occupy the building.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/john-menzies-to-close-flagship-store-1138302.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220613/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/john-menzies-to-close-flagship-store-1138302.html |archive-date=13 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=John Menzies to close flagship store|newspaper=The Independent|date=12 January 1998|access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref> The whole retail operation was sold to WHSmith in May 1998, to enable Menzies to concentrate on its distribution business.<ref name='sos_sells'>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-18593333.html |title=Menzies sells shops to WH Smith in GBP 64m deal |newspaper=Scotland on Sunday|date= 8 March 1998 |access-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629122229/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-18593333.html |archive-date=29 June 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Following the acquisition of Ogden Aviation in 2000, Menzies Aviation entered the ground handling sector and expanded its international operations,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Menzies to buy Ogden Services |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/menzies-to-buy-ogden-services-/33403.article |access-date=2026-02-08 |website=flightglobal.com}}</ref> in 2006, the company commenced cargo and ground handling services in Australia and the United States. In January 2007, the company merged its newspaper and magazine wholesale distribution businesses in Northern Ireland into a joint venture with Eason & Son, which became known as EM News Distribution; the company acquired the 50% it did not own in May 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/menzies-pays-36m-for-easons-half-of-joint-venture-35771726.html|title=Menzies pays €3.6m for Eason's half of joint venture|date=31 May 2017|newspaper=Irish Independent|access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref>
On 31 January 2017, Menzies Aviation completed the acquisition of specialist aircraft fueller Aircraft Services International (ASIG) from BBA Aviation for US$202m.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-37384609|title=John Menzies buys plane refuelling firm|date=16 September 2016|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> After a planned merger between the Menzies Distribution and the DX Group collapsed in August 2017, the company announced, in July 2018, that it had sold the distribution division to private equity company Endless, with the former owner retaining a 10% share in the business.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-44966703 |title = John Menzies sells distribution business|publisher= BBC News|date = 26 July 2018|access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref>
On 27 March 2020, the company confirmed it had been badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced its headcount by over 17,500.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-john-menzies-idUSL4N2BK27P|title=John Menzies lays off 55% of staff as coronavirus hits air travel|date=27 March 2020|publisher=Reuters| access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref> The number of flights Menzies handled globally fell by 60% during the second quarter 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=John Menzies soars on better trading and strong liquidity|date=22 June 2020 |magazine=Shares Magazine|url=https://www.sharesmagazine.co.uk/news/shares/john-menzies-soars-on-better-trading-and-strong-liquidity|access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref> [[File:Ground handling equipment at OR Tambo Airport domestic terminal February 2025.jpg|thumb|left|Ground handling equipment operated by Menzies Aviation at O. R. Tambo International Airport in South Africa during 2025]]
In April 2022, Menzies Aviation acquired Santiago-based ground and air cargo handling services company, Agunsa Aviation Services.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Menzies acquires Chile's Agunsa |url=https://www.airportsinternational.com/article/menzies-acquires-chiles-agunsa |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=Airports International|language=en}}</ref>
In August 2022, Agility Logistics acquired the company for £571 million stating it intended to merge its operations with its National Aviation Services subsidiary.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-60926996|title=Menzies Aviation accepts £571m takeover by Kuwaiti rival|date=30 March 2022|publisher=BBC News|access-date=6 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://thecapitalquest.com/2022/04/01/kuwaits-agility-unit-tristar-sign-ma-deals-for-965-mn/|title= Kuwait's Agility Unit Tristar sign M&A deals for $965 million|date=1 April 2022|newspaper=The Capital Quest|access-date=29 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/business/edinburghs-menzies-aviation-opens-new-chapter-after-takeover-by-kuwaiti-firm-completes-3793578|title=Edinburgh's Menzies Aviation opens 'new chapter' after takeover by Kuwaiti firm completes|date=4 August 2022|newspaper=The Scotsman|access-date=31 December 2022}}</ref>
In February 2023, it was announced Menzies Aviation had acquired a majority stake in the Jamaican ground and cargo handling company, AJAS Limited.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Menzies to acquire majority stake in AJAS Limited |url=https://magazine.groundhandling.com/news/menzies-to-acquire-majority-stake-in-ajas-limited/ |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=magazine.groundhandling.com}}</ref>
2023 Menzies Aviation experienced growth through multiple international expansions, including operations in Mexico, Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Italy, and obtained new operating licenses in Canada, Costa Rica, and Chile.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Menzies Aviation accelerates growth during first year under new ownership |url=https://makhazen.com/en/menzies-aviation-accelerates-growth-during-first-year-under-new-ownership/ |access-date=2026-02-08 |website=makhazen.com}}</ref>
Menzies Aviation acquired in 2024 a 50% stake in Jardine Aviation Services Group in Hong Kong, resulting in the formation of Menzies CNAC Aviation Services, and obtained a 50.1% controlling interest in Groundforce Portugal, adding approximately 4,000 employees.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Menzies grows in Hong Kong with Jardine investment |url=https://www.aircargonews.net/ground-handler/2024/01/menzies-grows-in-hong-kong-with-jardine-investment/ |access-date=2026-02-08 |website=aircargonews.net}}</ref>
In 2025, the company announced the acquisition of G2 Secure Staff for US$305 million, expanding its operations in the United States and increasing its global presence to approximately 350 airports in 65 countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Menzies Aviation doubles U.S. footprint with completion of $305m acquisition of G2 |url=https://menziesaviation.com/news/menzies-aviation-doubles-u-s-footprint-with-completion-of-305m-acquisition-of-g2/ |access-date=2026-02-08 |website=menziesaviation.com}}</ref>
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.menziesaviation.com Official Website]
Category:Aircraft ground handling companies Category:British companies established in 1833 Category:Companies based in Edinburgh Category:Companies formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange Category:Defunct retail companies of the United Kingdom Category:Service companies of Scotland Category:1833 establishments in Scotland Category:2022 mergers and acquisitions